The Paris Olympics 2024 has seen India open its medal tally with a historic win, as 22-year-old shooter Manu Bhaker clinched the bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol final. This victory not only marks India’s first medal at the Paris Games but also makes Bhaker the first female Indian shooter to win an Olympic medal.
A Display of Exceptional Skill
Throughout the competition, Bhaker showcased remarkable skill and composure, maintaining a top-three position for the majority of the event. Heading into the final shot, she was in second place by a narrow margin of 0.1 points but ultimately secured third place, earning the bronze medal. This achievement is a significant milestone for Bhaker and Indian sports, as the nation aims to surpass its previous record of seven medals from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Qualification Highlights
Bhaker’s journey to the final was characterized by a strong performance in the qualifications. She finished third with a score of 580, recovering from an otherwise challenging day for Indian shooting on Saturday, July 27. Hungarian shooter Veronika Major topped the qualification with a score of 582, while Rhythm Sangwan, the other Indian representative, finished 15th with a score of 573.
Bhaker started strong with 97 points in the first series, placing her in fourth position. She maintained her form with another 97 in the second series, despite Sangwan slipping to 26th after a poor round. Bhaker moved up to second place after an excellent 98 in the third series. An 8 in the fifth series was her only significant misstep, but she still managed to secure her place in the final.
Other Indian Performances
In addition to Bhaker’s success, India’s Ramita Jindal also qualified for a final at the Paris Olympics. Jindal secured fifth place in the women’s 10m air rifle qualification with a score of 631.5. However, Elavenil Valarivan, another Indian contender, missed out on the final, finishing 10th with a score of 630.7. Jindal, a bronze medallist at the Hangzhou Asian Games, became the second Indian shooter to secure a final berth at these games, following Bhaker’s qualification.
A Promising Start
Manu Bhaker’s bronze medal is a promising start for India at the Paris Olympics 2024. Her achievement sets a hopeful tone for the Indian contingent, inspiring athletes and fans alike. As the games progress, India looks forward to adding more medals to its tally and making this Olympics one of its most successful yet.
This victory not only underscores Bhaker’s talent and determination but also highlights the potential of Indian athletes on the world stage. With this inspiring start, India is poised to create more history and bring home even more glory from the Paris Olympics.